Jules Verne figured it out long before Clark.





On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 14:50:55 -0600, clifto wrote:

m II wrote:
dxAce wrote:
They are not stationary, however they are in orbit so far above the planet that
they 'appear' to be stationary.

The height of the orbit has not much to do with it. It's the fact that
they are orbiting the planet at the same rate as it turns that makes all
the difference.

The height of the orbit has EVERYTHING to do with it. The height of the orbit
is what causes the geosynchronicity. Arthur C. Clarke figured it out. His
first known mention of the subject indicates clearly that the height is of
the essence to the geostationary natu

"An 'artificial satellite' at the correct distance from the earth would
make one revolution every 24 hours, i.e., it would remain stationary
above the same spot and would be within optical range of nearly half
the earth's surface. Three repeater stations, 120 degrees apart in the
correct orbit, could give television and microwave coverage to the
entire planet." -- Clarke, letter to Wireless World, 1945